Concerns About the Drying Great Salt Lake: What Do People Care About and Who Cares the Most?

Abstract

Research on public opinion and climate change is extensive, yet we lack knowledge about how concern varies across social groups and those with varied experiences with regard to multiple dimensions of impact (e.g., economics, health, recreation) of a local climate change-related issue. Utah’s drying Great Salt Lake provides a unique case in which to examine this. We collected survey data with Salt Lake County residents (n = 515). Multivariable statistical model results showed differences in concerns by dimension of impact based on sociodemographic characteristics and personal experiences. Hispanic/Latinx and Pacific Islander (vs. White) residents were more concerned about animal habitats and the region sustaining life, while foreign-born (vs. US-born) residents were more concerned about quality of life impacts. Additionally, each of those groups was more concerned about loss of regional identity and recreation. Findings revealed that those most concerned are among those most vulnerable and those likely to experience climate injustices.

Keywords

climate change risk perceptions Great Salt Lake personal experiences demographics

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